Flasher type traffic signal



July 22, 1952 l D. D. GRlsslNGER 2,604,523

l FLASHER TYPE TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed July 14, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 lill E' lNvlzN'roR Daniel D. Grissinger "5 I BY *ik ATTORNEY Julyr22, 1952 D. D. GRlsslNGER 2,604,523

FLASHER TYPE TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed .July 14, 195o 2 SHEETS-Smm 2 12.7 7 v |NvENToR F1 7. E Daniel D. Grissinger ATTORNEYS mounted on a threaded upper end of a suitablel post 23 by means of an internally threaded boss 24 on the casting |4. Suitable openings 25h in the casting |4 cooperate with the upper vent openings 25a in permitting air to circulate through the housing. These openings are preferably all covered by suitable vscreening v (not shown).

Inside the housingrfa'pair'of channel shaped guide members 26 may be secured to the side panels asV by welding, for slideably receiving an operating unit, including a frame carrying a pair of electrically energized light sources and a motordriven light" interrupting mechanism. With this arrangement thev entire operating unit may be slid into place in the housing and readily removedpat will torfacilitate the repair or replacement of its parts or for the substitution of areplacement unit. y

:The frame of the operating unit may conveniently comprise a channel shaped vmain panel 3| having its anged side edges slideably receivable in the channel shaped guide members 26 of the housing. This panel serves-as a light shield and also as the principalr frame member of the above mentioned operating unit. Y -A The panel 3| is provided with an upper light transmitting aperture-32 and awlower light transmittingaperture 33, and cylindrical light shields 34 and35 are preferably secured to one side `of panel 3| around .the light transmitting apertures 32 and 33 respectively. O-n the .opposite side of panel 3 approximately at the center of the panel, afU-shapedbracket 31 is secured to the panel in any 'convenient manner, as by bolts 38, for mounting a light interrupting mechanism, hereinafter described, and also for mounting a bracket'39 carrying a light socket liu-that is adapted to receiveua,conventionalelectric light bulb 4|. The socketvsupporting bracket 39 maybe welded to the-I Jj-shapedbracket 37,7andnthe socket 40 is preferablyumounted on the bracket V'39 by means ofybolts 42 or the like. The bracket 39 is designed to support the socket 4B and lightbulb 4| so that the brightest portion Yof the 4bulb filament is positioned substantially on the axis of the upper light transmitting aperture 32 for transmitting a beam of light of maximum brilliance through this light transmitting aperture. i

v A lower electric light bulb 43 and socket 44 are simllarlymounted on a bracket 46, which may be welded directly to the panel 3 I. This lower bracket 46 is located so as to maintain the same relationship Vbetween the lower bulb 43. and lower light transmitting aperture 33 as the 'relationship between the upper light bulb 4|'and upper light transmitting aperture 32. i Y

'Ihev above mentioned light interrupting mechanism includes ar pair of substantially complementary, elongated blades or vanes and 52. These blades are jpivotally mounted substantially midway'between their ends on pivot shafts 53 and 54, respectively, for 4free oscillation thereon. Each blade is provided with an elongated bearing 55'that may conveniently be made of alength of tubing welded at one end to the blade with which it is associated.

The pivot shafts 53 and 54 are preferably mounted at one end in a plate 56 in any suitable manner, as by welding, and project through the bearings 55 and through aligned apertures in the U-shaped bracket 31. The plate 56 is preferably of suicient length so that its opposite ends may be disposed between the panel 3| and the ends of the U-shaped bracket 3l, wherebythe bracket and plate may both be secured to the panel 3| by means of bolts 38.

Each of theblades 5| and 52 comprises a pair of arms that extend generally in opposite directions from its pivot shaft but are disposed so that they diverge slightly outwardly from a straight lineas best shown in Fig. 6. 'Ihe outer edges of thebladesmay'bejprovided with a stiening flange 51`Aan'd the inner-ledgesY of the blades are preferably formed adjacent their ends with laterally projecting flange'portions 58 and 59. One of the flange portions 58 of each blade lies in the plane of the body of the blade, and theother flange portion 59 at the opposite end of the blade is slightly offset so that the iiange portion 59 of one blade may overlap the flange portion 58 of the other blade as the two blades are oscillated in opposite directions about their respective pivot shafts. Thus, as the upper ends of the two blades are brought together with the flange portion 59 of one of theblades overlapping the ange portion 58 of the other, a 'light blocking shield is formed between the upper light bulb 4| and the upper light transmitting aperture 32, thereby completely cutting off the transmission of light from the upper light bulb through the upper light transmitting aperture. Similarly, when the lower ends of the two blades are brought together they blockthe transmission of light from the lower light bulb 43 through the lower light transmitting aperture 33.

The conigurations of the blades and the locationof their centersof oscillation are such that the center of gravity of each blade is disposed laterally outwardly of its axis. Thus, referring to Fig. 6, the left hand blade 5| is urged by gravity in a counter-clockwise direction and the right hand blade 52 is urged Yby gravity in a clockwise direction for bringing the lower ends of the two bladestogether.'V l p Oscillation of the blades about theiraxes is effected by means of a pair of cams 6| and 62 that are rotatably mountedv on the shaft 63 of a synchronous electric motor 64. The motor 64 may be mounted on the panel 3| below the blade pivot shafts 53 and 54 bymeans of a U-shapedlugs formed on the motorhousing and through the body of the U-shaped bracket 66.

.d to the respective blades.

their rotation with the motor shaft 63,- the cams The blades 5| -and 52 are provided with respective cam engaging iianges 1| and 12 thatvmayconveniently be formed of sheet metal andwelded. During a portion of 6| Vand 62 respectively push against `,the flanges 1| and 12 and urge thelower ends of the blades 5| and 52 in opposite directions. This causes the blades to rotate about their* axes in opposite directions against the force of gravity for bringmg the upper ends of the blades together between the upper light bulb 4| and the upper light trans- During the remainder of mitting aperture 32.

f 81C of the iowerugh't socket their rotation, the camsA L.lil and 62., permit the lowenends or the blades.l yto. .be swung together, by gravity, ,between the vlovvenligl'lt bulb 43 and the vlower light; transmitting aperture,;32. Thus. during each revolution of xthez motor..- shaft, ',the passage of .light through. `the' 'lightV transmitting apertures'. Y:f3-l .and is.l blocked vgat.: .one aperture and restored at theother, and Lthenrestored at the :first and,:blockedahthesecond Y Thefrontpanel- [3.0i.theisignalhousing is provided .with upper. and lowerslightztransmitting apertures 16 and .1J-.that arelrespectvely valigned with theupperland. lower apertures .31| and 32 in theimainfpanelI 33|.'V of the above -ldescribed operating-lunit. These apertures 115! nandlfll v:in the front panel 1:3,- are preferably provided wit-hlens supporting .frames 18 in which sui-tablaclear` or colored, light .transmitting lenses 19Hmay. Vbe secured .by means of snaprings 8l Yinv a wellkno-wn manner. r

The lenses I9` are preferably lformed with a multiplicity of surface-projections on atleast one face thereof, such as'the ribs 182 shownon 'the outer face of the lenses in Figures 1, 3 and- 4i Instead of parallel, rib-shaped, surface projections, thelenses may beprovided With-any other desired form of surface projections-adapted to operations.

effector the resulting light diiusion is such that o the bulbs appear to be actually turned ofi-as the blades c losebetween the bulbsr and their respective lighttransmitting apertures 33! *and 32, This eiect is enhanced-byV the fact Atha'tithe light is obstructed simultaneously from two sidesofY th'light transrnitting apertures bythe closing of the blades. f y I' T From the 4foregoing description of the light obstructing or light interrupting'mechanismy it will be appreciated that as the bladesSl and '52k are oscillated about their axes by the action of the cams 6I and-e2, the light transmitted-'through the upper and lower lenses 79 will be" momentarily vinterrupted alternately at regular inter.- vajlrs. 1t willalso be apparentthatthe speed with which the ends of the blades move togetherfor interruptineithe llight trehemittedffrem vthe.bulbe through the. lenses is. determinefixin part. by the, Seeed 0f themeter 164 ehdih 'Part ,bythe .contour 0f vthe eemst'l'ehd f2, Whereas the 'intervals between Sheeeeere light interruptleheare.determined Selelv'by thespe'ed of themotter` 6.4.- Thus, by e proper Selection 0f @am eentellretheepeed at wlfiiclii the ends of the blades are brought together for extinguishing the .lightsmey he varied, within. limits ,Without altering the vmotor speed.

'Ifo keep to a.y minimum the num-heur of`v opera.-

tions, required. .for removing the Vroperating unil? fromvthe housing, the yelectrical current supply to fthedi'ght` bulbs and, to ...the moto-r. is,k carried by, a` single circuit'in' Vijifghic'livthe,light bulbs and the motorA are 'connected in parallel. Thus, a single pair of electrical conductors 86 and 81 may re spectively extendfroma conventional male plug B BMSQ :terminals 85o, and 81a-v oi the. upper Alight socket Mly and thence tov terminals'h and Bib ef the meter tiene thence, to" nals'tc and 64,' as shown in Fig. 6.; A conventional femalelsocket 89, towhich theY required electrical power traitsini-tred4 by a doub1e.cab1e 9i, may. be. mounted on' onelci thesidespa'nels LLof thezhousing by bolts 9.2.

6 the. plug :88 andthe socket 89', both vthe light bulbs and vthe motor are.- connected Ato the source of electrical power. YWhen it is desired to remove the operating unit for.'repair or replacement `of parts or forsubstituting an .entire new unit, itis merely ,necessary to remove thehousing cover.v t6, disengage. the plug :8,8v from the socket 851, and lift the entire unit upwardlyoutof 'the housing. |The unit may thereafter be` replaced', or av new unit inserted', by. .reyersing this series. of vthree simple The simplicity of the. light interruptingmech.- anism forming .a part of the .presentinventionvis such that. it may, beeconomically manufactured, installed, and serviced. Thedesign ofthe Amechanismis also such that it is subject to a minimum ofwear in use and, therefore, is adapted torun for long periodsr rof time. Without attention or service of any kind. While, for simplicity, the

bearings 55Y arev shown and described herein as meets the kmost rigid standards of` dependability inservice. I

While thi-invention has been illustrated'with referencev to a .specific embodimentv thereof:y it willgbe obvious that the details disclosed` are susceptible .to considerable modication- :without departing from the truespirit and: sco-pe .ofi vthefi'nvention, as defined. in. the appendedY claims.

Having described-my invention in detail, I

claim: i v

Y1j. A `flashing etratllc signabcomprising a stationary frame including a verticallywdisposed, light-.shielding panel, upperA and lower light transmitting apertures through said panel, yupper vand lower light-sources respectively `mountedon said frame on one side of; said panel and in alignmentl with said apertures Afor directing light therethrough, loscillating means mounted on said `frame between said light sources and said panel for alternately and momentarily blocking the passage of light from said'iight sources through vsaid apertures, said oscillating means comprising a pair of cooperating, elongated, blades pivotally mounted -for oscillation aboutrtheir longitudinal centers, and means for oscillating rseid bladesY S0 that. they rsvi/ eenover. substantially contiguous upper areas between ,said upper light source and upper light `t1,fansxnitting aperture and. Oser ,Substantially contiguous; lower areas between Said lower light source and. lower light transmitting aperture.-

2. Ih' e, fleehhstreft ,Signal optimising a ste tionary framev including la'l verticallyA disposed, light-shielding panel, upper and'k lowerwelight ltransmitting apertures through said panel, upf-4 per and lower light vsources respectively mounted on'rsaid frame on one side or said panel and in alignment'with said aperturesfor directingy '1E-bus, whena,singlewconnection,islmade between 7 5'. substantially..midway-betweentheir ends,foi-cof-e accesses ordinatedos'cillation parallel Vto said panel, and means for oscillating said .blades through angles selected so that .the blades sweepover substantially contiguous upper areas between said upper light source and. upper light .transmitting aperture and over substantially contiguouslower areas between said lower light source and lower light transmitting aperture. f i

3. In a flashing traffic signal comprising a stationary frame including a vertically disposed, light-shielding panel, upper and lower. light transmitting apertures through said panel,A upper and lower light sourcesrespectively mount-- ed on said frame on one side. of said panel and in alignment with said apertures for directing light therethrough; the combination of a pairl `of cooperating, generally complementary, elongated .blades disposed side by side betweensaid light sources and said panel and pivotally' mounted substantially midway .between `.their ends for coordinated oscillation parallel to said panel, and means for oscillating said blades through angles selected so that the blades sweep over substan tially contiguous upper areas between said upperl light source and upper light transmitting aperture and over substantially contiguous lower areas .between said lower light source andlower light-transmitting aperture, 'the centers of gravity of said blades being spaced from the axes of oscillation of the blades in locations selected so they are normally urged by gravity to rotate in opposite directions.

4. In a flashing traic signal comprising a stationary frame including a vertically disposed, light-shielding panel, upper and lower light transmitting apertures through said panel, upper and lower light 'sources respectively mounted Von said frame on one side of said panel and in alignment with said apertures for directing light therethrough; the combination of a pair of. cooperating, generally complementary, elongated blades disposed side by side between saidY light sources and said panel and pivotally mounted substantially midway between their ends for coordinated oscillation parallel to said panel, and means for oscillating said blades through angles selected so that the blades sweep over substantially contiguous upper areas between saidupper. light source andl upper light transmitting aperture and over substantially contiguous lower areas between said lower light source and lower light transmitting aperture, the centers of gravity cf said blades being located transversely outwardly in opposite directions from the axes of oscillation of the blades, whereby vthey are normally urged. by gravity to rotate in opposite directions, and said means for oscillating said blades acting against opposed -surfaces thereof for intermittently rotating them .in opposite directions against the force of gravity.

5.v In a'flashing 'tracfsignal comprising' a stationary frame including a vertically disposed, light-shielding panel, ,upper and lower light transmitting apertures through said panel, upper and lower light? sources respectively mounted on said -frame on one side of said panel and in alignment with said apertures for directing light therethrough; the combination of a pair of c o operating, generally complementary, elongated blades disposed side by side between said light sources and said panel and vpivotally mounted adjacent their centers for coordinated oscillation parallel to said panel, and means for oscillating said blades through angles. selected so that the blades sweep over substantially contiguous upper 8 areas between' said'. upper .light source and upper' light-transmitting aperture and over substantially"contiguous'lowerareas between said lower light sourcerandl lower light transmitting aperture,` the centers of Vgravity of said blades being spaced-*from the axesof oscillation of the blades infl'ocations selected so they are normally urged Vby gravity to. rotate `inopposite directions, and

said means for' oscillating said blades comprising rotating cam: means,v disposed between adjacent edge'slof ythe bladesjand engaging opposed surfaces thereon for intermittently rotating them in oppositedirections:against the force of gravity.

6;-In' aflashing traffic signal including a frame and spaced light sources mounted on said frame, the jcombination of `a pair of cooperating elongated light obstructing blades having their opposite vends respectively disposed adjacent said spaced light sources, said blades being pivotally mounted on said frame adjacent their longitudinal mid-portions forv oscillation through angles selected so that the kends of the blades adjacent each light source sweep over substantially contiguous areas, and means for oscillating said blades in timed relationso that their directions of rotation'are opposite at any stage in their cycle of operation.

7. A flashing light signal comprising a housing having spaced IighttranSmitting apertures in one wall thereof, an operating unit slidably receivable in -said housing and slidably removable therefrom, said operating Vunit including a frame, spaced electricv light sources mounted on said frame for disposition opposite vsaid apertures in said housing, oscillatingmeans mounted on said frame fondisposition between said light sources and said-apertures, said .oscillating means being operative for alternately and momentarily blocking the passage of light from said light vsources throughv said apertures, and an electric motor mounted on said frame for driving said oscillating means.

8. A flashing light signal comprising a housing havingspaced light transmitting apertures in one wall thereof, an operating unit slidably receivable into -an operative position in said housing and slidably removable therefrom, said operating unit including a frame, spaced electric light sources mounted on said frame for operative dispositionv `light sources and said motor in parallel, and

means for detachably connecting said pair of wires to said pair vof terminals for permitting substitution of interchangeable operating units.

" DANIEL D. GRISSINGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record'in :the file of this patent:

UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Number Name v Date 1,741,642 McCarthy Dec. 31, 1929 2,115,271 La Londe Apr. 26, 1933v 2,224,077 Hauptet al Dec. 3, 1940 2,401,171 Leppert May 28, 1946" 

